Pac Rejects Any ‘deals’ with Nazis in Return for Dropping Skokie March

The Public Affairs Committee (PAC) of the Jewish United Fund of Chicago, which is coordinating the Chicago Jewish Community’s opposition to a proposed Nazi march in Skokie, has rejected any possible “deal” to enable the Nazis to march elsewhere in the area, Raymond C. Epstein, PAC chairman, said today.

The PAC adopted unanimously late last week a statement responding to recent press statements by Frank Collin, head of the tiny band of Chicago Nazis, that he might cancel plans to march in suburban Skokie, home of some 7000 survivors of the Holocaust if the Nazis were allowed to march in Marquette Park in Chicago. The area has been the site of confrontations between Blacks and whites opposed to Blacks moving into the area.

The PAC statement said that the PAC, which represents 34 major Jewish organizations in Chicago, “will not in any manner condone, aid or abet the promotion of Nazi or any other racist doctrine in Skokie or any other community. The PAC thus categorically rejects any arrangement, agreement or deal, tacit or otherwise, which might imply consent to the use of Nazi doctrine in any part of the community against any group.” This was understood to be a reference to Black residents in Marquette Park.

The first statement said “we cannot in good conscience permit the pain of the Jewish community to be transferred to other targets of Nazi hatred to satisfy either the whim or the fear of local Nazi adherents. We shall continue to join with all other Americans of goodwill to fight against Nazism and racism where or whenever it appears.”

NAZIS SEEK TO KILL BILLS

The offer by Collin to cancel the Skokie march tentatively set for June 25, was made contingent on agreement by state and local officials to kill pending legislation aimed at boning the march. State Senators John Nimrod and Howard Carroll, sponsors of the legislation, rejected any agreement with Collin. Their two bills, which have passed in the State Senate, and are before the House, would empower local public officials to deny parade permits for demonstrations which would defame a group because of race, creed, color or religion or cause “reasonable apprehension” or concern for violence by display of quasi-military uniforms.

Skokie Mayor Albert J. Smith declined to respond to Collin’s offer and said he would continue with plans to ask the United States Supreme Court for a review of a May 22 ruling by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals which ruled unconstitutional three ordinances passed by Skokie to ban the march.

Smith also said he would ask for a stay for the June 25 date pending a decision by the Supreme Court. The 30-day waiting period required after filing for a permit has ended but Skokie officials have not issued a permit to the Nazis.